Indian Cashew - Grade Specification

Cashew kernels obtained after processing the raw cashew nuts, are divided into different grades
depending on the form and size and the grade specifications as followed by the Cashew Export
Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) are as follows:

a. White wholes
Count/454 gm or 1
Grade Trade Colour/ Max. Broken NLSG NLG
pound (size
Designation Name Characteristics Moisture% Max% max %
description)
White/pale ivory/light 5(NLSG &
White
W -180 ash. Characteristic 170-180 5 5 SW
wholes
shape together)
W - 210 do Do 200 - 210 5 5 Do
W - 240 do Do 220 - 240 5 5 5
W - 320 do Do 300 - 320 5 5 5
W - 450 do Do 400 - 450 5 5 5
W - 500 do Do 450 - 500 5 5 5 (SW)

Kernels of this grade should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter. Scraped and partially shriveled kernels are
permitted, provided such scraping/shriveling does not affect the characteristic shape of the kernel.

b. Scorched wholes
Count/454 gm or NLSG
Grade Trade Colour/ Max. Broken
1 pound (size NLG
Designation Name Characteristics Moisture% Max %
description) max %
Kernels may be
scorched/
Scorched slightly darkened due to 7.5
SW - 5 5
Wholes over-heating while (SSW)
roasting or drying in
drier/borma
7.5
(NLSG &
SW - 180 do do 170 - 180 5 5
SSW
together)
SW - 210 do do 200 - 210 5 5 do
SW - 240 do do 220 - 240 5 5 do
SW - 320 do do 300 - 320 5 5 do
SW - 450 do do 400 - 450 5 5 do
SW - 500 do do 450 - 500 5 5 7.5 (SW)

Kernels of this grade should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould, rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter. Scraped and partially shriveled kernels are also
permitted, provided such scraping/shriveling does not affect the characteristic shape of the kernel.
c. Desert wholes
Count/454 gm NLSG
Grade Trade Colour/ Max. Broken
or 1 pound (size NLG max
Designation Name Characteristics Moisture% Max %
description) %
Kernels may be over-
Scorched scorched, immature,
SSW Wholes shriveled (Pirival), speckled - 5 5 7.5(DW)
Seconds (Karaniram) discoloured
and light blue.
Kernels may be deep
Dessert scorched, deep brown,
DW - 5 5 -
Wholes Deep blue, speckled, dis-
coloured and black spotted

Dessert Whole Kernels should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould, rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter.

d. White pieces
NLSG
Grade Trade Colour/ Count/454 gm or 1 pound Max. Broken
NLG max
Designation Name Characteristics (size description) Moisture% Max %
%
White/pale ivory or
light ash. Kernels
B Butts broken cross wise - 5 5 5(SB)
(evenly or unevenly)
naturally attached
White/pale ivory or
S Splits light ash. Kernels Split - 5 5 5(SS)
naturally lengthwise
Kernels broken into more
Large than two pieces and not 5 (SW &
White/pale ivory or
LWP White passing through 4 mesh 5 Nil SP
light ash
Pieces 16 SWG sieve/4.75mm. together)
I.S.Sieve
Broken Kernels smaller
Small than those described on 5 (BB &
White/pale ivory or
SWP White LWP but not passing 5 Nil SSP
light ash
Pieces through 6 mesh 20 SWG together)
Sieve/2.80 mm I.S. Sieve
BB Baby Do Plemules and broken 5 Nil 1%
Bits Kernels smaller than (cashew
those described as SWP powder)
but not Passing through a
10 mesh 24 SWG
Sieve/1.70mm I.S. Sieve

Kernels of this grade should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould, rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter. Scraped and partially shriveled kernels are also
permitted provided such scraping/shrivelling does not affect the characteristic shape of the kernel.
e. Scorched pieces
Count/454 gm or NLSG
Grade Trade Colour/ Max. Broken
1 pound (size NLG
Designation Name Characteristics Moisture% Max %
description) max %
Kernels broken crosswise
(evenly or unevenly) and
naturally attached. Kernels
Scorched
SB may be scorched/slightly - 5 5 7.5 (DB)
Butts
darkened due to over heating
while roasting or drying in the
drier/borma
Kernels split naturally
lengthwise. Kernels may be
Scorched scorched/slightly darkened
SS - 5 5 7.5(DS)
Splits due to over-heating while
Roasting or drying in
drier/borma
Kernels may be Pieces passing
scorched/slightly darkened through a mesh 7.5
Scorched
SP due to over-heating while 16 SWG 5 Nil (SSP &
Pieces
roasting or drying in sieve/4.75 mm SPS )
drier/borma I.S. Sieve
Pieces smaller
Kernels may be
than SP but not
Scorched scorched/slightly darkened
passing through a
SSP Small due to over-heating while 5 Nil 5 (DSP)
6mesh 20 SWG
Pieces roasting or drying in
Sieve/2.80 mm
drier/borma
I.S. Sieve

Kernels of this grade should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould, rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter. Scraped and partially shriveled kernels are also
permitted provided such scraping/shriveling does not affect the characteristic shape of the kernel.

f. Dessert pieces
Count/454 gm or 1 NLSG
Grade Trade Max. Broken
Colour/ Characteristics pound (size NLG max
Designation Name Moisture% Max %
description) %
Kernels may be over- Kernels broken into
scorched immature, pieces but not
Scorched 7.5 (DP &
shrivelled (Pirival) passing through a 4
SPS Pieces 5 Nil DSP
speckled (Karaniram) mesh 16 SWG
Seconds together)
discoloured and light sieve/4.75 mm I.S.
blue Sieve
Kernels broken into
Kernels may be deep
pieces but not
scorched, deep Brown,
Dessert passing through a 4
DP blue, speckled, 5 Nil 7.5 (DSP)
Pieces mesh 16 SWG
discoloured and black
sieve/4.75 mm and
spotted
I.S.Sieve

Kernels of this grade should be completely free from infestation, insect damage, mould, rancidity,
adhering testa and objectionable extraneous matter.
Note: NLSG – denotes Next Lower Size Grade and NLG denotes Next Lower Grade